Introduction to J.C. Ryle's "Practical Religion"

1. Practical Religion
J.C. Ryle

2. Who is J.C. Ryle, and why are we studying his
book?
An Anglican clergyman – that is, a minister in the Church
of England.
The first Bishop of Liverpool.

3. Who is J.C. Ryle, and why are we studying his
book?
Ryle’s writings are:
Strongly evangelical, clear and simple statements of
Biblical truth.
With practical, no-nonsense, applications for believers
of all time.
Prepared to Stand Alone, by Iain Murray, Banner of Truth

4. Ryle’s times
Ryle was a contemporary of
Charles Spurgeon
Advocating simplicity and
clarity in preaching, Ryle said,
“How clearly Mr Spurgeon
divides a sermon. How easily
you grasp his meaning! “
Charles Spurgeon
1834 - 1892
John Charles Ryle
1816 - 1900

5. Ryle’s Family Life
Ryle’s family home was in Macclesfield, in Cheshire,
a wealthy county in northwest England
His father was a banker, and a Member of Parliament
When a business partner of Ryle’s father made bad
loans, Ryle’s father was forced to file bankruptcy. The
family lost their home, and most of their belongings
Though they attended church services, there was
effectively no ministry of the gospel in the churches
they attended. London
Wales
Scotland

6. Ryle’s Schooling
After private tutoring, Ryle was sent to Eton (in
Windsor, near London) for schooling.
After a slow start, Ryle excelled, becoming one of the
top students, while also becoming captain of the
cricket team and competing in hockey (we call it field
hockey) and rowing.

7. University
At the age of 18 Ryle entered Christchurch, Oxford

8. Spiritual Matters
Ryle’s great-grandmother was converted under the
ministry of John Wesley.
Ryle’s grandfather died young, so his father inherited
the fortune at an early age, and was not interested in
spiritual matters.
When his sister and other friends were converted, Ryle
began to think seriously about his sins, and, in time,
realized God had transformed him.

9. The Ministry
Ryle’s plans for a career in law and politics
were ended by his father’s bankruptcy.
He received an unexpected offer of a curacy
(assistant to a minister), and saw that God had
directed his path.
Ryle served as vicar in several small churches,
visiting every member of the congregation to
see to their spiritual needs.
He published many tracts - some as long as 100
pages — and several of which became books.

10. Practical Religion
Created from a series of tracts on the duties, privileges,
dangers, and experience of Christians.
Each chapter is a separate topic - we may divide longer
topics into more than one week.
Reading the book is optional! We’ll have Scripture to
review before the lesson.

11. For next week:
Chapter 1: Self-Enquiry
Please read:
Matt. 13:3-9, 18-23
2 Cor. 5:17
2 Cor. 13:5
Phil. 3:12-16